Coin-controlled vending-machine.



No. 737,217. PATENTED AUG. 25, 1903.-

J. GABEL.

OOIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE.

. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7. 1901.-

N0 MODEL. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

THE Remus PE pws coim-(orc'w-umn. WASHINGTON. u. c.

No. 737,217. PATENTED AUG. 25, 1903.

J. GABEL.

GOIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNEL 1901.

N0 MODEL. I 6 SHEETS-SHBET 2 m: Ncmms PETERS bu, FHOTO-UTNO" WASHINGTGN. a. c.

No. 737,217. PATENT ED AUG. 25, 1903.,

' J. GABEL.

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7, 1901 no MODEL. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Ewe/L701 WM M1 7; l ulsllibn eyfl Tu: Nogms vzrzns cov. PuoTo'umn" WASNINGTON, uxc.

PATENTED AUG. 25," 1903.

J. GABEL. .GOIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED TUNE-7| 1901 5 SHEBTSSHEET 4.

N0 MODEL.

cams PETERS ca. mom-mum WASHINGYON u c PATENTED vA1111. 25, 1903.

J. GABBL. 00111 CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE. I

'uru'onron-rnzn 1mm 7. 1901. a sums-sum: 5.

H0 MODEL.

w w v w w w m fl 5 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 4 "Hill!!! THE mums PETERS cQIMTa-LITHQ. WASHINGYON, 04 c.

1 the United States, and a resident of. Chicago,-

UNITED STATE-S Patented. August 25,19o.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN GABEL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

$PECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 737,217, datedAugust 25, 1903.

Application filed June 7,1901- Serial No. 63,511. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern.-

Be itknown that 1, JOHN GABEL, a citizen of county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coin-Controlled Vending-Machines, of which the following is declared to be a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to coin-controlled vending-machines for automatically retailing or delivering articles or goods in exchange for coins of a certain denomination, and more particularly is designed for vending granular material, such as peanuts, popcorn, and the ticularly pointed out in the appended claims;

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a viewin'front elevation of my improved apparatus. 'Fig- 2 is a View in vertical section of the same through the hopper and delivery-chute and measuring-valveor carrier. Fig. 3 is a View in vertical section of the improved apparatus through the operating mechanism. Fig. 4 is a detail view in elevation of the operating mechanism, showing the parts in normal po: sition. Fig. 5 is a detailview of the operat ing parts at the end of the forward movement. the reciprocating shifter. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the measuring-valve or carrier. Fig. 8 is a detail view in elevation of one of the sections of the coin-chute. Fig. 9 is a view in horizontal section taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 3, the coin-chute being omitted for the sake of clearness.

The'apparatus comprises a suitable inclosing casing 10, preferably of metal, mounted upon the base 11, which is providedwith the supporting-legs 12. The front of the casing is formed by a swinging door 13, preferably of cast metal, pivoted to the offsets 14 on the the support 26.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of receptacle may be periodically filled. The

plate 20 is held in place by an interlocking lug 21 and. a lock 22, of ordinary construction, which engage the edge of the opening.

A hopper 23 is provided at the lower end of the storage chamber or receptacle and serves to conduct the material to the casing 24 of the measuring-valve or carrier 25.

A platform or support 26 is mounted on standards 27, projecting upwardly from the base 11, and serves to support the various parts of the operating mechanism. A delivery-chute 28 projects downwardly through an openin'g in the bottom 11 and is preferably formed in'two sections, which are secured together and the upper one of which is prefer-' ably cast in piece with the casing 24. of the valve 25. The lower section of the chute is securedat itsupper end to an upright 29 on The reciprocating carrier or measuring-valve 25 is--pivoted on a shaft 30, extending between upwardly-projecting ears on the lower section of the chute 28. The valve or carrier25 comprises an open pocket 31, normally in communication with the hopper 23, and a shield 32, which serves to close the opening in the lower end of the hopper when the valve or carrier is oscillated to bring the pocket 31 into communication with the delivery-chute 28, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. 1

A coin-chute for receiving the inserted coin is formed of a trough-shaped section 33 and a cover-plate 34, secured thereto, and is fixed at its lower end to the platform or support 26, with its upper end in position to communicate with a coin-slot 35 in the door 13, as shown in Fig. 3. The'coin-slot 35 is of suflicient length and width to receive a coin of proper denomination. A portion of the coin- The upper end of the chute is bent laterally and edgewise, as most clearly shown in Fig. 8, and just below the angle thus formed is an opening 36 in the edgeof theslot. Immediatelyabovetheopening 36 and opposite the angle is fixed in position a magnet 37, with its poles extending slightlywithinthecoin-chute. Thefrontwall of the coin-chute is provided with a curved longitudinal slot- 38 just below the opening 36, through which projects an abutment 39 upon the end of a bent arm or deflector 40, which is pivoted to the coin-chute, as at 41. The deflector is provided with a weighted tailpiece 42, which serves to normally hold the abutment 39 adjacent the lower edge of and and inclined toward the opening 36.

Pivoted to the upper end of an upright 43 on the support 26 is a bell-crank 44, one arm of which projects through an opening'45 in the front of the casing and serves as an operating-handle. This handle is bent, as indicated in Fig. 9, in order that the door may be swung open. A curved shield 46, connected to or cast in piece with the operating-handle or bell-crank 44, serves to close the open- 45 whatever may be the position of the handle 44. A reciprocating shifter 47 is pivoted at one end to the lower end of the downwardlyprojecting arm of the bell-crank 44, the inner free end of which shifter slides upon the support or platform 26. The reciprocating carrier or valve 25 is provided with a bent arm 48, preferably cast in piece therewith and projecting downwardly and to one side. The lower end of this arm 48 is provided with a slot 49, as clearlyindicated in Fig. 7. The reciprocating shifter 47 is provided with a pair of abutments 50 and 51, which are spaced apart and oppositely disposed on either side of the slotted end of the arm 48. The abutment 50 is narrower than and arranged in line with the slot 49, while the abutment 51 is snfficiently wide to engage the slotted end of the arm 48 in order to return the reciprocating carrier to its normal position. The shifter 47 extends through a slot in the lower end of the coin-chute and is provided with an opening 52 between the abutments 50 and 51, and the coin-chute is arranged to direct the inserted coin between the abutment 50 and the slotted end of the arm 48. The coin thus inserted rests on edge upon the platform 26, which thus serves as a coin-support, and the coin forms a connection between the shifter 44 and shifter 47 in normal position, with the free end of the shifter in engagement with the stop 53.

The arm 48 of the valve or car- 4, and the parts are so arranged that the spring 56 serves to hold the valve or carrier both in its normal position, with the shield 32 in engagement with the stop 57, and in its forward position, (shown in Fig. 5,) with the end of the arm 48 in engagement with the abutment 51. Moreover, the spring 56 serves near the end of the forward stroke to move the end of the arm 48 away from the abutment 50 to release the coin which is held be tween these parts. The coin is then free to drop through an opening 58 in the support 26 into the receptacle or drawer 59, which is inserted beneath the platform or support.

The lower end of the chute 29 is normally closed by a horizontally-disposed gravityvalve 60, having an upwardly-projecting arm 61, by which it is pivoted to the deliverychute 28. The lower face of the valve 60 is provided with a finger or hand guide comprising a downwardly-projecting portion 62 and a horizontally-projecting concave portion 63, and it is also provided with a rearwardly-projecting stop or tailpiece 64, adapted to engage with the base-plate 11. A glazed sight-opening 65, through which the lower end of the delivery-chute may be inspected, is provided in the forward part of the base 11.

The operation of the parts is as follows: If a coin of proper denomination is inserted through the opening 35, it will pass into the coin-chute, first strike against the end of the magnet and rebound therefrom against the abutment 39 of the balanced deflector 40, thereby depressing the inner end of the deflectorand permitting the coin to pass through the chute and between the end of the shifter 47 and the arm 48 of the measuring-valve or carrier 25. If, however, a bogus coin of iron or steel is inserted, it will strike against the end of the magnet and be deflected thereby through the opening 36, or if a coin of light weight is used the deflector 40 will not be overbalanced and the bogus coin will be deflected by the abutment 39 through the opening 36. In the present construction, therefore, only coins of the proper weight and composition will pass through the chute and rest upon the coin-support 26 between the abutment 50 and the slotted end of the arm 48. The handle of the bell-crank 44 will then be grasped by the user of the machine and depressed. Since the coin forms a connection between the end of the shifter 47 and the carrier 25, the latter will be oscillated to communicate with the chute 28, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. By this means the proper amount of peanuts, popcorn, or like material, which the valve has previously received from the hopper 23 and for which the inserted coin has beenpaid, will be projected downwardly through the delivery-chute 28. Near the end of the forward stroke of the reciprocating parts the movement of the shifter 47 will be arrested by the engagement of the shield 46 with the upright 43; but the spring 56 will move the end of the arm 48 away from the abutment 50, thus permitting the coin to drop through the opening 58 into the receptacle 59. (See Fig. 5.) As soon as the user releases the handle 44the spring 54 will retract the bell-crank 44 and the shifter 47, and by means of the engagement between the abutment 51 with the end of the arm 48 the measuring-valve or carrier will be returned to its normal position against the pull of the spring 56. In order that this may be readily accomplished, the spring 54 is of greater strength than the spring 56. As soon, however, as the valve has moved past the central position the spring 56 will exert its tension to hold thelatterin its normal position against the stop 57 and in communication with the hopper 23. The apparatus is then in condition for another operation upon the insertion of another coin. I

The user of the machine can see that the material for which he has paid has been delivered to the lower end of the chute 28 through the glazed opening 65, and by inserting the fingers of one hand between the valve 60 and the finger or hand guide 63 these parts may be moved rearwardly' in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and at the same time the hand of the user will be correctly posijecting arm rigidly fixed to said measuring valve, a fixed, horizontal support below said tioned to receive the material as it passes through the lower end of the chute.

Although my improved apparatus is more particularly designed for the vending of granular material,such as peanuts or popcorn, as previously stated, it may be used for vending goods of various sorts, such as confections, cigars, &c. It is obvious that the details of construction may be varied by the skill of the mechanic without departure from the essentials of the invention."

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is r 1. In a coin-controlled vending-machine, the combination with an inclosing casing, of a hopper and a delivery-chutein said casing, a pivoted, oscillating measuring-valve normally communicating with said hopper,a proarm,an operating bell-crank lever having one of its arms projecting as a handle through said casing, a reciprocating shifter pivoted at its forward end to the other arm of said bell-- crank lever, the free rear end of said shifter resting upon said fixed, horizontal supporter,

a slot in the lower end of said arm, abutments on said shifter arranged on either side of the lower end of said arm, one of said abutments being narrower than and in line with said slot, a fixed coin-chute arranged to deliver the inserted coin between the narrow abut ment and the end'of said arm and a spring connected to said bell-crank lever for returning the parts to normal position.

2. In a coin-controlled vending-machine, thecombination with an'inclosing easing, of a reciprocating carrier provided witha projecting arm, a manually-operated reciprocating shifter having an abutment arranged adjacent but out of line with the end of said arm, a chute arranged to deliver the inserted coin between said abutment and the end of said arm, means for limiting the forward movement of said shifter and means for moving said arm away from said abutment at the end of the forward movement of the parts to release the coin.

3. In a coin-controlled vending-machine, the combination with an inclosing casing, of an oscillating carrier provided with a projecting arm, a manually-operated reciprocating shifter having an abutment arranged adjacent but out of line with the end of said arm, a chute arranged to deliver the inserted coinbetween said abutment and the end of said arm, a coin-support beneath said shifter, a stop for limiting the forward movement of said shifter and means arranged to move said oscillating carrier in either direction from a central position, whereby said arm is moved away from said abutment at the end of .the stroke to release the coin.

4. In a coin-controlled vending-machine, the combination with an inclosing casing, of an oscillating carrier provided with a projecting arm having a slotted end, a reciprocating manually-operated shifter having an abutment narrower than and arranged in a line with said slot, a chute arranged to de liver the inserted coin between said abutment and the end of said arm, a coin-support beneath said shifter, stops for limiting the movements of said reciprocating parts and a tion, whereby said arm is moved away from the abutment at they end of the stroke to release the coin.

5. In a coin'controlled vending-machine, the combination with an inclosing casing,'of an oscillating carrier provided with a projectin g arm having a slotted end, a reciprocating manuallyoperated shifter having a sitely disposed on either side of the end of said arm, one of said abutments being narrower than and arranged in line with said slot, a chute arranged to deliver the inserted coin between the latter abutment and the end of said arm,-a coin-support beneath said shifter, stops for limiting the movements'of hold said oscillating carrier in either direction from its central position, a lever pivoted for returning the parts to normal position.

i 6. In a coin-controlled vending-machine,

spring arranged to move said oscillating car-' rier in either direction from a central posipair of abutments spaced apart and opp0- said parts, a spring arranged to move and.

to said shifter and projecting through said casing and a spring connected to said lever the combination with an inclosing casing, of a hopper and a delivery-chute in said casing, a measuring-valve interposed between said hopper and said delivery-chute and normally communicating with said hopper but movable to communicate through said chute, a projecting arm fixed to said measuring-valve, a manuallyoperated reciprocating shifter having an abutment arranged adjacent but out of line with the end of said arm, a chute arranged-to deliver the inserted coin between said abutment and the end of said arm, means for limiting the forward movement of said shifter and a spring connected to said valve arranged to move said arm away from said abutment at the end of the forward movement of the parts to release the coin.

7. In a coin-controlled vending-machine, the combination with an inclosing casing, of a hopper and delivery-chute in said casing, an oscillating measuring-valve interposed between said hopper and said chute, normally communicating with said hopper but movable to communicate with said chute, a projecting arm fixed to the measuring-valve and provided with a slotted end, a manually-operated reciprocating shifter having a pair of abutments spaced apart and oppositely disposed on either side of the end of said arm, one of said abutments being narrower than and arranged in line with said slot, a chute arranged to deliver the inserted coin between the latter abutment and the end of said arm, an opening in said shifter between said abutments, a coin-support beneath said shifter, a relatively heavy spring operatively connected to said shifter for returning the parts to normal position, and a relatively light spring connected to said measuring-Valve and arranged to exert its pull to hold said measuring-valve on either side of a central position.

JOHN GABEL. Witnesses:

ALBERTA ADAMICK, HARRY L. CLAPP. 

